Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Morgan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I founded the company, which follows my family business Riddell football helmets, and it was born out of an accident playing polo where I was paralyzed from my neck down but was very lucky to only bruise and hyperextend my spinal cord. I did have to learn how to walk all over again, feed myself, and much more, but if you meet me you would not know anything ever happened, so I consider myself extremely blessed.
My company addresses impact mitigation/energy attenuation – i.e. converting energy to heat, and we are an intellectual property development and licensing business versus manufacturing. We are in process with letters of intent with NYSE companies to mid-size private businesses.
Tate Technology, LLC has eighteen (18) filed of which eight (8) patents are issued. The Company’s first developed intellectual property is “Advanced Concussion TechnologyTM,” which is applicable to all sports safety helmets & protective gear, military, construction, police, and riot helmets, as well as for skis, snowboards, automotive, and more. Effective mid-Oct. 2017 – Tate is partnered with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, “ORNL” managed by UT-Battelle Memorial under the U.S. Dept. of Energy, or “DOE.”
Tate Technology, LLC produced and tested hundreds of helmets and consistently achieved “statistically significant” test results, with reduction in g-force of 42%, Gadd Severity Index (“SI”) reduction of 49.7%, and HIC of 45%. Tate also tested its non-Newtonian fluid in soft headwear with g-force reduction of 50-55% and SI of 70-79%. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is in the process with our magnetic suspension system.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Any entrepreneur knows that the road ahead is bumpy, which has been our case as well.
It takes time, diligence/tenacity, plus a passion for what you do, and this is exactly what I was born to do, so I really enjoy the work and the ride – even with the bumps. I was well prepared for this endeavor, as I was a former investment banker handling corporate finance and M&A, acted as interim CEO and CFO for a number of clients, as well as was on the “buy-side” with a hedge fund.
My MBA from USC (go Trojans!), coupled with my SEC licenses, and a long history in finance prepared me well to handle all that comes with a start-up.
Please tell us about Tate Technology, LLC.
Some of this I eluded to earlier, but we focus on actually attenuating energy, and what that means is energy has to convert to heat in order to get rid of it, and the company is focused on patents addressing this very issue. I also mentioned my family is Riddell football helmets, so when you watch a game you will see the name Riddell on the front of the helmets – not all mind you.
My mother’s father is John Tate Riddell, and I am Jenny Tate Morgan, so my grandfather founded Riddell and developed over 60 patents including as examples: the removable screw-in cleat, and the basis for which Riddell was founded; the suspension helmet design, which was licensed to the US Govt. for use in WWII M1 and paratrooper helmets.
My father ran the company post my grandfather’s passing and he joint ventured with Jack Welch, head of GE Plastics when GE was creating polycarbonate, as well as he designed the “micro-fit” helmet or sometimes called the “water helmet” that uses air, pads, and fluid displacement. The industry removed the fluid cells, and now uses the air and pad, or just the pads in liners.
Additionally, design improvements were developed for shoulder pads, football and baseball shoes, plus the cleats, as well as for coaches’ shoes. Riddell was originally a footwear company.
What I am proud of is how disruptive our intellectual property/technology is, as well as carrying on the family tradition. What sets us apart is that we are able to achieve actual energy attenuation.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Oh my…. too many, but my parents were great, and we did so much together, so my childhood was wonderful. My father said to me that ” I am his daughter and I can do anything,” which never left me, so both he and my mother instilled confidence in me to be able to reach high, not be afraid, and to never give up on anything you believe in.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tatetechnologyllc.com
- Phone: Office: (310) 230-0044
- Email: [email protected]
- Twitter: JennyMorgan@TateTechnology
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-morgan-aa80948/
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